TREATMENT OF LATE-LIFE SCHIZOPHRENIA WITH NEUROLEPTICS

There is a dearth of literature on the effects of neuroleptics in olde r schizophrenia patients. In this article, we review the available lit erature and present findings from our own studies. Neuroleptics are ef fective in the treatment of late-life schizophrenia, although older pa tients generally need lower dosages than younger subjects. Neuroleptic s, however, carry a relatively high risk of side effects such as tardi ve dyskinesia (TD) in middle-aged and elderly patients. By the end of 1 year of a prospective longitudinal study of neuroleptic treatment, w e found a 26 percent cumulative incidence of TD among schizophrenia pa tients over age 45. If neuroleptics are withdrawn, there is a signific ant risk of a schizophrenic relapse; however, that risk is no greater in older patients than in younger ones. We offer clinical recommendati ons for the use of neuroleptics in the treatment of late-life schizoph renia.